Obama and Renzi discussed the past in Italy a referendum

U.S. President Barack Obama discussed by telephone with Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi held on 4 December referendum on constitutional reform, the White house said.

Obama thanked Renzi for the close friendship and partnership, said in a written statement the White house. “The President stressed that Italy will remain one of the most close and strong allies, an indispensable partner”, — stated in the message.

After Italian voters rejected the proposals of the government, Renzi announced that he would resign. Obama publicly supported the position of the Italian government on this issue.

Sunday in the Apennines passed a constitutional referendum, the results of which 59,11% of the voters voted against the government-initiated reform of the Constitution. The government bill provided, first of all, changing the role and functions of the Senate in the system of state authorities of Italy.

The Prime Minister of Italy Matteo Renzi has announced that on Monday will submit his resignation. However, Italian President Sergio Mattarella asked Renzi to delay the resignation until the adoption of the law, which defines the basic parameters of the state budget for 2017.